Agricultural extension and advisory services strategies during COVID‐19 lockdown

Baffoe-Bonnie, Anthony; Martin, David Tanner; Mrema, Frank A.

doi:10.1002/ael2.20056

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…This trend indicates a significant increase in research activity from 2001 to 2022, with a surge in studies focusing on educational technology after 2016. The rapid development and adoption of various training platforms for farmers accentuated by the global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, has underscored the pressing need for technology-assisted agricultural extension [ 49 – 51 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A scoping review on technology applications in agricultural extension

Xu,

Adeyemi,

Catalan

et al. 2023

PLoS ONE

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Agricultural extension plays a crucial role in disseminating knowledge, empowering farmers, and advancing agricultural development. The effectiveness of these roles can be greatly improved by integrating technology. These technologies, often grouped into two categories–agricultural technology and educational technology–work together to yield the best outcomes. While several studies have been conducted using technologies in agricultural extension programs, no previous reviews have solely examined the impact of these technologies in agricultural extension, and this leaves a significant knowledge gap especially for professionals in this field. For this scoping review, we searched the five most relevant, reliable, and comprehensive databases (CAB Abstracts (Ovid), AGRICOLA (EBSCO), ERIC (EBSCO), Education Source (EBSCO), and Web of Science Core Collection) for articles focused on the use of technology for training farmers in agricultural extension settings. Fifty-four studies published between 2000 and 2022 on the use of technology in agricultural extension programs were included in this review. Our findings show that: (1) most studies were conducted in the last seven years (2016–2022) in the field of agronomy, with India being the most frequent country and Africa being the most notable region for the studies; (2) the quantitative research method was the most employed, while most of the included studies used more than one data collection approach; (3) multimedia was the most widely used educational technology, while most of the studies combined more than one agricultural technology such as pest and disease control, crop cultivation and harvesting practices; (4) the impacts of technology in agricultural extension were mostly mixed, while only the educational technology type had a statistically significant effect or impact of the intervention outcome. From an analysis of the results, we identified potential limitations in included studies’ methodology and reporting that should be considered in the future like the need to further analyze the specific interactions between the two technology types and their impacts of some aspects of agricultural extension. We also looked at the characteristics of interventions, the impact of technology on agricultural extension programs, and current and future trends. We emphasized the gaps in the literature that need to be addressed.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A scoping review on technology applications in agricultural extension

Xu,

Adeyemi,

Catalan

et al. 2023

PLoS ONE

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“…While there were some significant differences between demographic groups, most all ASP and EP were consistent in their ratings of producer ability. It is important to note that the COVID-19 pandemic may have served as a catalyst to improve ASP, EP, and producer proficiency in digital technologies and increase the frequency of digital communication between groups (Baffoe-Bonnie et al, 2021;Samuel, 2021).…”

Section: Barriers To Technology Adoptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Digital Technology Adoption and Access Barriers Among Agricultural Service Providers and Agricultural Extension Professionals

Drewry¹,

Shutske²,

Trechter³

et al. 2022

Journal of the ASABE

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HighlightsAgricultural service providers and Extension professionals were surveyed on technology use and barriers.Data privacy and security and hiring qualified IT staff are barriers in the industry.Surveys point to major opportunities for digital agriculture professional development and education. Abstract. As agriculture becomes an increasingly data-driven sector, it is important to understand the technology use and barriers by the service providers who work closely with producers. This is especially important as these individuals can serve as drivers for technology adoption by farmers and ranchers. Although many surveys have looked at technology adoption by producers, little data on agricultural industry service providers exists. Surveys of Extension Professionals (EP) in Iowa, Michigan, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, and several categories of Agricultural Service Providers (ASP) in Wisconsin were administered in 2018 to determine satisfaction with internet service and to learn more about information and technology usage and potential barriers to its adoption within the industry. In addition, follow-up informational telephone interviews were conducted with 13 Wisconsin EP. A paper survey was administered to ASP, which had a response rate of 35% (N=462). A similar online survey was administered to EP having an estimated 23% response rate (N=223). The frequency of transmission of data, information, and recommendations was high but specialized for both groups with more frequent use in crop production versus livestock (including dairy). The most commonly-cited barriers associated with the adoption of digital technologies by ASP were related to attracting and hiring well-qualified IT employees, training for both employees and clients, and data security. While data security was a commonly cited barrier, 16% of ASP worked for companies that did not have written policies on data privacy. ASP and EP consider their clients to be adept at using text messages, images, maps, and smartphones. They do not consider their clients to be skilled in their use of digitally accessed and used financial statements, spreadsheets, or laboratory analysis reports. Additional training should be better focused on these areas for ASP and EP which would allow them to be more effective in educating producers and to better realize the value associated with more thoughtful and widespread digital technology adoption. Keywords: Agricultural data, Agricultural service provider, Extension professional, Internet access, Technology adoption, Technology barriers.

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“…To promote digital advisory and extension, there is a need to develop telecommunication infrastructure. To increase the use of ICTs in the field of advisory and extension, it should enhance awareness, technical support, digital literacy, and, ownership and control of stakeholders towards digital devices and their services (Bonnie et al, 2021). Likewise, both advisory and extension officials and stakeholders need to be empowered and mobilized to take ownership of digital tools and their usage (CABI, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alternative and ICT-based Advisory and Extension Approaches in the Tea Sector in Sri Lanka: An Explorative Study

Weththasinghe,

Dissanayeke

2024

Trop. Agric. Res.

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The present study evaluated the usage level of alternative and information communication technology-based advisory and extension approaches, factors affecting the usage behavior, and limitations for implementing such approaches among advisory and extension officials in the tea sector in Sri Lanka during 2020-2022. An online survey was conducted with 72 officials. The majority were male (61%) and the mean age was 41 years. Most (47%) had up to diploma level education with a mean experience of 13 years. The government-imposed restrictions on public gatherings have significantly influenced the advisory and extension in the tea sector during 2020-2022. Respondents mainly connected with growers using mobile phone calls (76.6%) and WhatsApp messages (50%). Lack of communication infrastructure (62.5%), poor ICT knowledge and skills (51.6%), connection issues (57.8%), and inability to observe field conditions (68.8%) are the main barriers encountered by respondents. The main barriers faced by the farmers included lack of communication infrastructure (64.1%), poor ICT knowledge and skills (65.6%), connection issues (68.8%), inability to share quality photos (67.2%), and data cost (60.9%). The Majority of respondents (> 50%) showed positive perceptions towards these approaches and are willing to use them (73.4%) in the future. The results of Spearman’s correlation test showed relationships between the usage frequency of alternative approaches with education (r=0.455, p= 0.000) and age (r= -0.267, p= 0.033). There was a relationship between officials’ perception of alternatives and their usage frequency (r=0.504, p=0.000). In conclusion, the usage of ICT-based methods was higher among young and educated Officials.

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Agricultural extension and advisory services strategies during COVID‐19 lockdown

Cited by 7 publications

References 8 publications

A scoping review on technology applications in agricultural extension

A scoping review on technology applications in agricultural extension

Assessment of Digital Technology Adoption and Access Barriers Among Agricultural Service Providers and Agricultural Extension Professionals

Alternative and ICT-based Advisory and Extension Approaches in the Tea Sector in Sri Lanka: An Explorative Study

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